10 Questions with ... Jennifer White

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KSCF/San Diego, CA - 2008-present
• XTRA/San Diego, CA - 2006-2007
• KNDD/Seattle, WA - 2003-2006
• KPNT/St. Louis, MO - 2000-2003
• The Howard Stern Show (Internship) 1997
• WNOR/Norfolk, VA - 1996-2000
• WAFX/Norfolk, VA - 1995-1996

1) What Got You Interested In Radio?

It's in my blood! My dad hosted mornings at several stations in Northern California in the '70s, and my mom did news on one of his shows.

2) Who do you consider your radio mentors?

Besides my dad, my first mentors were the crew from my days at FM99 in Norfolk. I was lucky enough to get my start with Harvey Kojan, Tim Parker, Sonja Morrell, Tommy Griffiths, and Rick Rumble. I really couldn't ask for a more talented group of people to learn from.

3) Arbitron's Personal People Meter (PPM) has recently started monitoring your market. What are your thoughts on this new ratings technology?

I love the challenge of programming for PPM. It's really making me analyze every single thing that comes out of my mouth: "Is this tease actually compelling enough to make the listener stick around?" "Am I getting right to the point?" "Can this interview benefit from being 10 seconds shorter?" It's the most meticulous radio I've ever done, but it keeps me on my toes and the PPM Gods seem to like it!

4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

The fact that we can accomplish so much and sound so BIG with such a tiny staff amazes me every day. Great radio is a team sport! We all care so much about Sophie and our PD Charese Fruge's vision for the station that we make it work against all odds.

5) What do you like best about working in this format?

I've worked in Alternative and Rock formats for most of my career, and making the switch to Modern AC was a great move for me. Our events are spectacular. I mean, I've broadcast from my fair share of Hooters football tailgates (yay), but hosting a private concert at a wine lounge is much more my scene. Also, as a total pop culture junkie, I love that our artists produce so much juicy gossip every day! Lucky me that I get to use my tabloid obsession as show prep!

6) How did you get your on-air name?

I was born with it. I always cursed the generic "Jennifer" growing up (True fact: 98% of baby girls born in the late '70's were named "Jennifer"), and I even tried to change it to something more glamorous when I got my first on-air job. There's no avoiding the "Jennifer," though...not even at Sophie: Jennifer Markham does afternoons!

7) How do you stay in tune with your audience?

I pay attention to my friends. What are they talking about or posting on Facebook? What TV shows are they glued to every week? What songs are they asking me about? What concerts are they excited to go to? In a world of information overload, it's important to seek out what matters to people first and jump off from there.

8) Why would someone listen to your station instead of listening to music on their iPod?

Discovery. I'm in our demo and I have neither the time nor desire to troll the Internet for new music. Everything on my Zune is something that I've heard on the radio first.

9) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?

Top 40/Rhythmic. I have a serious Hip Hop addiction. Give me a couple glasses of wine and you will likely be treated to my world-famous cover of Lil Wayne's "A Milli."

10) What advice would you give people new to the business?

Learn how to do EVERYTHING and always be eager to learn more.

1) What is the most popular giveaway item at your station?

Our amazing trips! We have an in-studio collection of cards, letters, photos and collages from listeners who won once-in-a-lifetime trips to see their favorite artists. From Beyonce in Las Vegas to Pink in Dublin, to a cruise to see the Dave Matthews Band. Our listeners have come to expect some pretty amazing giveaways from Sophie.

2) Do you read.....everything?

Yup. Everything. I subscribe to 8 billion magazines, have a tower of books stacked by the bed, and my 'favorites' list of blogs is about a mile long. Even if I weren't in radio, this would still be the case...I can never get enough information.